Modeling and simulation of net centric system of systems using systems modeling language and Colored Petri-nets: A demonstration using the Global Earth Observation System of Systems

Understanding the operations of a large net-centric system-of-systems requires in-depth knowledge of the interfaces and the interactions among the various systems, subsystems, and components. Architectural modeling can help in reducing the complexity involved in designing large networked systems. This paper demonstrates a modeling approach for network centric systems. An example of such a complex system is the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)-a system for monitoring and collecting information related to Earth's resources. The GEOSS is an evolving complex network centric system. The modeling of the GEOSS has been demonstrated using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). In this paper, architecture representation using SysML demonstrates an object-oriented approach of model development. This paper discusses issues related to architecture description, development, presentation, and integration for the chosen domain. This paper also highlights some of the differences between SysML, which is used to model a wide range of systems, and Unified Modeling Language (UML), which is primarily used to model information systems only. Finally, in order to synthesize an executable model from the static views developed using SysML, Colored Petri-nets (CP-nets) have been used. The executable model, constructed using CP nets, is used to validate the architecture against the static model. overall, this research defines a methodology to model and simulate complex network centric system of systems in order to understand and simulate their behavior using a scenario based approach. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.